[HTC Incredible S] poondog:
[SIZE=+3]Frequently Asked Questions[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]HTC Incredible S[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=+1]This a short list of frequently asked questions in this device forum and the answers often given as a response. It should serve as a starting point for gathering knowledge and finding solutions to many common problems. Please only post in this thread with feedback on how to improve this document. Do not post "Thank you" type responses. If you have additional questions or require more help, try to find an existing thread or create your own. Do not use this as a general help thread.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Q1: How do I root my phone?[/SIZE]

You have two choices.

1. To downgrade and s-off using revolutionary and nonverbose's toolkit. This is harder but s-off makes flashing ROMs and Kernels easier. If you have HBOOT 1.16 or higher you need to downgrade before using revolutionary. See here

[TOOL][SCRIPT]S-off for HBOOT 1.16 and above

OR

2. Unlock using the HTC dev method, which unlocks your bootloader but you remain s-on. You have to flash boot.img via fastboot every time you change your kernel and most ROMs. See here

[Guide] Newb guide to unlocking HBOOT 1.16.0000 and 2.00+ and flashing a custom ROM​

[SIZE=+1]Q2: Which custom recovery should I use?[/SIZE]

The tried and tested recovery that most people use is 4EXT.

Find it here: 4EXT Recovery Classic v2.2.7 RC5 | TAR BACKUPS | Convert FS | Romname -> Backupname

4EXT is officially supported, TWRP and the latest CWM are not official.​

[SIZE=+1]Q3: Can I install an OTA on my rooted or bootloader unlocked phone?[/SIZE]

No. If you want to install an OTA (imo you'd be crazy to :P) you must revert to stock EVERYTHING. This includes ROM, recovery, and reverting to a locked bootloader. In my opinion it is best to flash a stock-based custom ROM like Blackout ICS, tpbklake's stock rooted ROMs or Android Revolution HD to save you from the hassle of reverting to stock. It also gives you the flexibility to easily flash a custom ROM​

[SIZE=+1]Q4: How do I flash my boot.img in fastboot?[/SIZE]

On your computer, open the custom ROM zip using an unzip program (WinZip, WinRAR, etc.) and extract the file "boot.img" (no quotes). Place this file in the same folder as fastboot.exe..

See this video: [Tutorial] How to Fastboot Flash boot.img on S-ON HTC Device

And here: [Tutorial] How to flash a new boot.img via Fastboot​

[SIZE=+1]Q5: What is the difference between S-off and HTC dev unlock?[/SIZE]

Basically, s-off gives you access to everything you need as a normal user. To flash a ROM, all you have to do is wipe, flash it in recovery and reboot

With HTC Dev unlock you will remain s-on and have limited access. You cannot flash radios and other files via hboot. When you flash a ROM you must flash it in recovery and then fastboot flash the boot.img (see Q4)
​

[SIZE=+1]Q6: Do I need to s-off or HTC dev unlock my bootloader to install a custom ROM?[/SIZE]

Yes :P

Otherwise you cannot have a custom recovery which you need to flash a custom ROM
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[SIZE=+1]Q7: What is HBOOT/bootloader and how do I enter it/what does it do?[/SIZE]

HBOOT is the white screen that displays all your phone info on it. It will show you your HBOOT version, radio version, whether you are s-off, s-on or have an unlocked bootloader.​

[SIZE=+1]Q8: What is ADB?[/SIZE]

Stands for Android Debugging Bridge.

Read more about it here: [GUIDE] ADB Workshop and Guide for everyone​

[SIZE=+1]Q9: What a nandroid backup?[/SIZE]

A nandroid backup is what is made when you go to recovery and backup. It backs up everything you see in android, including your kernel/boot, system/ROM, all your data, settings etc. If you want to create a "freezeframe" of what your phone is like, create a nandroid backup and it will be able to be restored at any time. Use the same recovery that you backed up with to restore.​

[SIZE=+1]Q10: My PC won't connect to the phone by USB (for RUU, fastboot, adb, etc.), what do I do?[/SIZE]

Make sure you have all the drivers needed for what you are doing.
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[SIZE=+1]Q11: What is the best ROM/kernel?[/SIZE]

You need to make up your mind yourself :D It is totally an opinion thing. Some don't like the bloat of sense and prefer AOSP ROMs. I like the Sense interface so I mostly use sense ROMs. One way to see popularity is to have a look at everyone's signatures and to see what they are running.

For stability and everyday use its better to go with a non-experimental ROM​

[SIZE=+1]Q12: Does rooting the phone affect my battery life, performance or coolness?[/SIZE]

Alone, rooting the device does next to nothing. After the process of rooting, a rooted stock ROM will be absolutely no different to the stock ROM unrooted. However now you have permissions to write to /system and other partitions that you could not do anything to before.

However by installing a custom ROM it can affect all of the above, including coolness​

[SIZE=+1]Q13: How much can I overclock my device without causing damage to it?[/SIZE]

The general consensus is that 20% more clock speed won't hamper your device. Mine has run at 1200MHz for over a year and it is fine. However over that, there is potential for damage. That said, there are many who use the phone at 1500MHz and they are fine. Just remember that all chips are different, yours might not be able to take the speed some others can get up to. Some cannot take over the 1024MHz stock, but the msm8255 is designed to run at 1400MHz.

Tip: If your device is unstable at high frequencies, try raising the voltages at those frequencies

You also need a custom kernel with OC enabled for you to raise the frequencies.​

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[FAQ][GUIDE]FAQ: IncS Android 2.3.5/Sense 3.0 ROM & HBOOT 2.00.0000

[Knowledge Booster]Some Useful Threads

*Use the thanks button if someone helps you or answers your question*

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This FAQ is part of a Recognized Contributor Group Initiative. Please look for a similar FAQ thread when visiting another device forum.

A special thanks to those who contributed to the production of this FAQ, especially kinfauns, tpbklake, ronnie498, me ;)

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